Alston, Philip William Whitmel

Alston, Philip William Whitmel a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, was born on Fishing Creek, in Warren Co., N. C., Feb. 28,1813. His mother dedicated him to the Lord from his birth, and took care that his education should be conducted accordingly. The family removed to Edenton, N. C., when he was about five years of age; and here, in process of time, he began his academic course under the Rev. John Avery, D.D. In 1822 he attended Shocco Springs Academy, in the same state. In January, 1826, he entered the University of North Carolina and graduated in 1829, but remained at the university as a resident graduate during the next year, when he removed to the neighborhood of Randolph, Tenn., and was occupied for two or three years in reading and study. In 1834 he joined the Protestant Episcopal Church, and in the following year was a deputy to the General Convention. In June, 1838, he was ordained deacon, and exercised his ministry at Randolph until February of the next year, when he became rector of Calvary Church, Memphis, a position which he held until the close of his life. He died at Columbia, Tenn., June 17, 1847. Mr. Alston was distinguished for his taste for the fine arts, possessing considerable skill in drawing. As a preacher, his manner was earnest, but quiet. His social qualities were of a high order. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 5, 754.